Flexible shaft switch-actuating means for kitchen mixer motors



7 Dec. 18, 1951 H. F. SCHMIDT 2,573,901

FLEXIBLE SHAFT SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS FOR KITCHEN MIXER MOTORS Filed March 25, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l BY HIS ATTORNEYS Dec. 18, 1951 SCHMlDT 2,578,901

v FLEXIBLE SHAFT SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS FOR KITCHEN MIXER MOTORS Filed March 25, 1946 3 SheetsSheet 2 ILIIJIIIHI w 5 .m m

I V 5 F W m 3 m V. B 5

Dec. 18, 1951 H. F. SCHMIDT FLEXIBLE SHAFT SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS FOR KITCHEN MIXER MOTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 23, 1946 IT R m mm mm V 6 F BY HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLEXIBLE SHAFT SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS FOR KITCHEN MIXER MOTORS Application March 23, 1946, Serial No. 656,582

6 Claims. (01. 259131) This invention relates to improvements in household electric utility devices employed in the performance of various household tasks such as mixing, heating or whipping fluids and comminuting non-liquid materials and more particularly to a device having its power source at a point remote from the mixing head.

The conventional devices adapted to perform the mixing functions mentioned above have limitations curtailing their usefulness because of the specific form in which they are designed. Those acquainted with the conventional type electric mixer of the prior art know that despite the fact that its mixing, beating and whipping functions are adequately performed, the trouble involved in the cleaning, storage and setting up of the conventional type mixer severely limits the amount of use to which. it is put. ihe present invention contemplates the use of a universal power source which is adapted to supply the power for a Wide variety of household de vices and which in use With a mixer head will efifect the performance of mixing tasks with utmost eificiency. The power source also would be adapted to service with ease such devices as fruit juicers, peelers, and pot cleaners.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved form of household electric device whose power source will be located remote therefrom.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved form of household electric device which shall embrace the use of a central power source Whose power shall be transmitted to the household device by means of a readily detachable flexible power transmission means.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a remote power source adapted to transmit, power by means of a flexible transmission means to a variety of household devices, the design and construction of the combination being such that it is feasible to utilize the household devices immersed in water without danger of electrical shock to the user.

Another object of this invention is the provision in an. electric household device connected to a remote power source by a flexible power transmission element of a quick disconnect coupling capable of being readily and quickly connected to and disconnected from both the remote power source and the household device being used.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved form of mixing device which is adapted for operation from a remote power source and which is designed to be mounted on the side of a vessel in a novel manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mixing device for operation from a remote power source, and mountable on a vessel, and so designed that the mixer when mounted is held in a predetermined relationship to the vessel.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a mixing device operable from a remote power source through a flexible transmission means and which is so designed and constructed that it is adapted for use with vessels of a wide variety of sizes, wall thicknesses and shapes.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved form of mixer head which is designed and constructed to assume a balanced position in relation to the vessel on whose side wall it is mounted so that it will not tip and will not require constant supervision while in use.

Other objects and features of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification and appended drawi s illustrating certain preferred embodiments in which:

Figure 1 is an illustration of a mixer according to the present invention wherein the mixer head is mounted on a conventional type bowl and adapted to be driven by a flexible driving means from a remotely located power source;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the power unit;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line IIL-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line IVIV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a contact support block utilized in the present invention;

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a switching assembly employed in the present invention;

Figure '7 is a top plan view of the mixer head; and

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure '7.

As shown in Figure 1, the invention includes a power unit, indicated generally at l, and mounted as by brackets 2 on a wall 2a, a mixer or beater head 3, remotely located therefrom,

' and fixedly mounted on a vessel or bowl 4, and a.

flexible drive shaft 5 operably interconnecting the power source I and the mixer head 3.

As seen from the drawings the remote power unit I comprises a hollow casing I of stream lined configuration. Within the casing 1 is disposed a motor 8. The motor 8 is retained in the casing l by apair of motor mounts 9 and iii. The lower motor mount 9 consists of a main body portion 13 having therein a chamber 14. Through opposite walls l5 of body portion [3 extend apertures I6, opening into chamber l4. Subtending from the body portion [3, at substantially right angles, is an extension l1. Within extension I! there is provided a chamber [8. An aperture l9 interconnects chamber l8,

. legs of which define a chamber.

with chamber [4 in body portion l3. Oppositely located apertures 20 and 2| are provid d in wall portions of extension I! and lead to chamber l8. A pair of leg members 25 and 25 project, one from the 'body portion l3 and the other from extension H. A cover plate 2! closes the open end portion of casing 1 and is affixed thereto by means of screws.

The electric motor 8 which is supported by the motor mounts 9 and In is of conventional design and consists of an armature 30 having associated therewith the usual coils or field windings 3|. The armature 3! is carried by a rotatable shaft 32. Associated with the armature 30 and mounted on the shaft 32 is a commutator 33. A worm 34 i formed on one end of shaft 32. The opposite end of shaft 32 is provided with a flat surface 35 machined or otherwise formed thereon. In mounting the motor 8 the end of .shaft 32 having the worm 34 is inserted through aperture is and into chamber l8. A bushing 40 of conventional type is disposed within aperture i9 and supports shaft 32. The commutator 33 is located within chamber l4 and juxtaposed to opposite orifices It. The lower end portion of the armature 30 also fits within chamber M.

The upper mount ill consists of a ring-like portion 4| from which extends a spider 42, the A boss 43 is located centrally on the spider 42 and has an aperture extending therethrough. Pressed into this aperture is a bushing 45 of conventional type. The upper end of shaft 32 is supported by the bushing 45. With -upper mount I!) in position the upper end of the armature 3!] will be housed within the chamber in the upper mount in.

The upper face of the main body portion I 3 of the lower motor mount. 9 is recessed to provide an annular land 46. The lower face of the ringlike portion 4| is similarly recessed to form annular land 41. With the upper motor mount I50 placed in assembled relationship to lower motor mount 9 the lands 46 and 41 will abut the ends of the field windings 3| and bear upon them and will thereby hold the winding in a fixed relationship to the armature 3B. To maintain the upper mount In in proper relationship to lower mount '9 and thereby properly support the armature shaft 32 and to maintain the lands 46 and 4'1 in abutting engagement with the ends of the field windings 3! bolts 50 are inserted through openings in the ring-like portion 4| f the upper motor mount is and are threaded into the upper face of the main body portion l3 of the lower motor mount 9.

Mounted within the apertures of lower mount 9 are brush holding cartridges 5| which carry spring-biased brushes 52, which brushes 52 engage the commutator 33. A pair of leads 53 supply the brushes 52 with electric current.

A worm gear 54 is disposed within the chamber l8 and engages with worm 34 on motor shaft '32. A rotatable hollow power shaft 55 extending at substantially right angles to the worm 34 carries the worm gear 54 in position. The lower end of shaft 55 is mounted in a bushing 56 located in aperture 2|.

The worm gear 54 is preferably made of a material having high dielectric properties to prevent the inadvertent transmission of electric current from the electric motor 8 through the armature shaft 32.

A male coupling member 60 comprising a hollow cylinder is screwed at its lower end into casing 1.

the internally threaded aperture 20 and extends outwardly through an opening provided in the The outer end of the male couplin so is frusto-conical in shape and is subtended by an annular recess 6|. The coupling 60 is designed a described to permit the female portion of coupling 233, to be hereinafter described, to more readily fit thereover. The shaft 55, which supports the worm gear 54, extends into the male coupling fill. A dielectric sleeve or bushing 62 is disposed about the shaft 55 to further insulate the equipment against the inadvertent transmission of electric current from the electric motor 8. Shaft 55 is a hollow cylinder, as has been stated, but the opening therethrough is squared at its outer end 59 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

On-off switch 63 of conventional design is placed in the motor circuit for controlling the starting and stopping of the motor 8. The actual construction of switch 53 forms no part of this invention. Any switch having a construction wherein its actuating rod on movement inwardly will either make and break the contained contacts and then move outwardly to a set position ready for the next operation will be suitable. A portion of the housing of switch 63 is threaded and screws within the bearing 56. From the switch 63 extends an actuating rod 54 which controls the operation of the contact elements (not shown) of switch 63. A push rod 65 is disposed within the hollow shaft 55 and serves to actuate the switch 63 as will be described.

A switching assembly indicated generally at 10 is provided in the motor circuit for controlling the speed of the motor 8, and is interposed between the upper motor mount II] and a regulating dial indicated generally at H.

A contact support block 12 (shown in Figures 3 and 5) of generally polygonal configuration and having an orifice l3 therethrough is mounted on the boss 43 and motor mount Ill, the boss 43 extending into said orifice 13. The block 12 is secured to the motor mount i0 by conventional and suitable means. A generally triangularly shaped conductor plate 14 is mounted on the face of the block 72 and adjacent to the orifice 13. To the conductor plate 14 is secured one end of a spring type movable contact arm 15 which is adapted to engage and disengage a stationary contact It also supported on block 12, but which i normally biased away from contact 16. The movable contact 15 and the stationary contact i6 comprise an internal on-off switch for control of the motor 8. The manner of actuation of this switch will be described. A lead 11 connects the triangular plate 14 and the contact arm 75 to the field coils 3i of the electric motor 8. A power input lead 18 is connected to the contact element 16. An elongated conducting member 19 is mounted on the block 12 adjacent to the orifice I3 and has connected thereto one end of a semi-circular resistance element 80, of conventional design, whose other end is connected to the triangular plate 14. The resistance element serves to prevent current surges through the electric motor 8.

Both the triangular shaped plate 14 and the conductor element is carry brush retaining cartridges 83. The cartridges 33 are imbedded in the block i2 and serve to secure the triangular plate 14 and the conducting member 19 on the contact block 12. A lead 84 connects the conductor element '9 to the field coils 3 I.

Disposed in the cartridges 83 are a pair of spring-biased brushes 85. and96. Afilxed to the shaft 32. on fiat: 35 and adapted to rotate therewith is a circular plate 8 on the face of which, adjacent to. the contact block I2,v are disposed a pair of concentric conductive rings 88 and 89 which are engaged by the brushes 85 and 96, brush 85 engaging the outer ring 88 and brush 35 contacting the inner ring. 99.

On the opposite side of the plate 81 is disposed a speed-regulating and governing mechanism indicated generally at 99 and shown in Figure 6. This mechanism includes a pair of stationary contacts 9I and 92 which are carried by a dielectric plate 81- and are so secured thereon that contact 9I is conductively connected through plate 81 to the outer ring 98 and contact 92 is conductively connected to the inner ring 99 as by conducting rivets (not shown). Cooperating with. the stationary contacts 9| and 92 are a pair of movable contacts 93 and 94. The contacts 93 and 94 are carriedby contact arms 95 which contact arms in turn are each mountedon generally L.-shaped movable members 96. The movable members 96 are pivotally supported on plate 81. Spring 9'! carried by the plate 91 cooperate with each of the members 99 to bias the movable contacts 93 and 94 toward engagement with the stationary contacts SI and 92. One leg 98 of each of the L-shaped members 99 is of greater mass than the other leg 99 to provide a governing means for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Centrally positioned on the plate 81 is a boss I99 having cut on the outersurface thereof oppositely disposed guiding grooves NH. The grooves I9I are located adjacent the legs 99 of the L-shaped members 95.

Mounted above the shaft 32 is a contact controlling element I95. The element 195 comprises a circular portion I96 from one face of which extends a pair of wedge-shaped legs 91. The legs I9! fit. within the oppositely disposed guiding grooves I9I in the boss I99 and are slidably supported thereby. On the opposite face of the circular portion I96 is provided an annular groove I98.

The casing 'I is provided with a neck-down portion II9 having an opening therethrough. A rotatable speed control dial II2 is mounted upon the neeked-down portion II9. Indicia shown at H3 are provided on the periphery of the dial I2 to provide for control of the speed of the motor 8. The dial H2 is composed of a translucent material and has a light I54 associated therewith and in circuit with the motor 9 and which will light up when the motor is running. Overlapping the outer periphery of the dial H2 is a chevronshaped magnifying element I I5.which is secured on the casing I. The element H5 serves to. enlarge the individual indicia which pass under it and renders themmore easily readable.

Carried by the dial. I I2 and rotatable therewith is a block-like member IIfi which extends through the opening in the necked-down portion I I9 of easing '5. About the circumference of the block I I6 there is provided a fastening means I I"! which serves to secure the dial H2 upon the casing I.

Cut into the block H5 is. a recess H8 in which is rotatably secured an idler element II9. About the periphery of the inner face of block IIB are provided a series of. indentations IZI equal in number to the number of indicia provided; on. the dial I I2. To permit an indexing movement of the dial I !2 there is carried by the casing I a springbiased ball detent I22 which is adapted to register with the indentations I2 I The idler element H9 is mounted to run in the groove I98 provided on the contact controlling element I95. The dial H2 and the bearing element I I6 are so located within the casing that the idler element I I9 will be positioned at an angle to the groove I98 as shown in Figure 3.

A push-rod I 39 extends from the dial I I2 to the movable contact arm and passes through an aperture provided in the casing I to be supported thereby. One end of the rod I39 rests within a depression I3I in the dial I I2 when the dial is in off position. The other end of rod I39 rests within a dimple I29 in the contact arm I5. Upon movement of the dial from the off position the push-rod I39 is cammed out of depression I3I to eiiect a rectilinear movement whereby the opposite end thereof will cause the contact arm I5 to engage the stationary contact I9 and effect the starting of the motor 8.

As the dial I I2 is rotated from one position to another the idler element I I9 riding in groove I98 moves the contact controlling element 295 into the grooves I 9! on boss I99. The wedge-shaped legs I91 of element will engage the L-shaped members 95 to effect progressive disengagement of the movable contacts 93 and 94 away from the stationary contacts 9| and 92 to control the amount of current being fed to the electric motor 8, thereby controlling the speed thereof.

To prevent the electric motor 9 from overspeeding a governing means has been provided in the form of the legs99 of the L-shaped members 96. These legs have been designed to be of greater mass than the second legs 99 of members 96 so that when the plate 8'! tends to rotate at an excessive speed the centripetal force developed by the legs 98 will tend to move them toward the center of plate 9'! and against the bias of spring 9'! to effect disengagement of the contacts 93 and 94 from SI and 92 thus cutting the flow of electric current to the motor 8 and slowing it down to a speed where the force of springs 9'! are sufficient to overcome the developed centripetal force and I again effect engagement of movable contacts 93 and 94 with stationary contacts 9| and 92 to complete the motor circuit.

Included in the motor circuit is a condenser I 33 which i adapted to reduce radio interference noises when the electric motor 8 is operating.

Associated with and adapted to be actuated by the remote power unit I is the mixer or beater h ad 3. The mixer 3 consists of a housing which comprises a handle section I35 and a transmission-housing section I 36. Formed integrally in the handle section I35 are recesses I 39 and I49. Separating the recesses I 39 and I49 is a partition wall I4I. An aperture I43 extends laterally through the bottom portion of the handle-section and into the recess I39. Studs 344 secure the handle section I 35 to the transmission-housing section I39.

The transmission-housing section I36 comprises a main body portion from the front of which extend rearwardly and outwardly two leg members $49 and I47. Depending from the back of the transmission-housing section I35 is a third leg member I59 which is spaced from the ends of legs I49 and I47. A web I 51 extends from the base of the housing I39 to the leg I59. Provided in, the transmission-housing section I39 are chambers I5I and I52 separated from each other by a partition wall I 53. An aperture extends through wall I53 and interconnects the chambers [SI and I52. An aperture I55 extends vertically. through the base of the transmissionhousing I35 and into chamber I5I. Parallel to aperture I55 is a second aperture I56 extending vertically into chamber I52. Extending longitudinally through the rear wall of the transmission-housing I35 there is provided an aperture I58 which connects with chamber I52. Fitted into the aperture I58 is a male coupling I50 which is similar in construction to the male coupling 60 shown in Figures 3 and 4 which was described in connection with the remote power unit I.

Upon the ends of each of the legs I46 and I41 is attached a pad IBI composed of rubber or any similar resilient material.

It is intended that the mixer or beater head 3, while adapted to be held by hand during operation, will also be provided with means for mounting or clamping the head on the edge of a pan or bowl. The clamping means is indicated generally at I52 and comprises a lever I53 having generally triangular-shaped winged portions IE i which at their upper ends pass on. either side of the male coupling I65 and are faired into the surface of the handle portion I35. The lower portions I55 of the Wings I64 extend beyond leg I50 and in clamping position lie contiguous to the ends of the leg members I45 and I41. Mounted on a shaft I66 carried by the portions I55 is a roller I5! made of resilient or plastic material adapted to give when brought to bear on the outer surface of a bowl or pan. Associated with the lever its is a positioning means comprising a pair of movable blocks Il'I, the faces of which are provided with serrations I'l2. The blocks ITI are located on either side of the web I51 and are joined together for common movement by a pin II3 which travels in a slot I74 provided in the web I51. Serrated faces are provided on the leg I50 on either side of the web I5I for cooperation with the serrated movable blocks I'M. A pair of disengaging strip springs (not shown) lie in slots (not shown) provided at the base of the web I51 adjacent the serrated faces and bias the movable blocks ill for disengagement from the serrated faces on the leg I50.

The winged portions IE4 of lever IE3 are mounted on the ends of pin I13 whereby the lever I53 will be pivotally supported upon the leg I50. Pivotal movement of the lever I53 effects movement of the movable blocks I'II to engage and disengage these blocks from the serrated faces on the leg I50.

To clamp the beater head 3 to a pan or bowl 4 the lever I53 will first be actuated in a clockwise direction which will permit the disengaging strip springs (not shown) to flex to disengage the'movable blocks I'II from the serrated faces II4. With the movable blocks Ill disengaged a lateral pull is applied to the lever I53 to effect a movement of the blocks III parallel to the serrated faces and simultaneously move the roller I5? in a direction away from the ends of legs 45 and I-il. The rim of the bowl 4 may then be inserted in the space between the roller I57 and the ends of legs I45 and I41 so that the ends of the legs rest within the bowl 4. To clamp the mixer 3 to the bowl 4 the lever I53 will be pushed forward to engage the roller I5! with the outer side of the rim of the bowl 4. Thus with the ends of legs I45 and I4? bearing on the inner surface of bowl 4 and the roller IS'I bearing on the outer surface the lever I63 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction moving the pin I'I3 to effect the engagement of the movable blocks I'II with the serrated faces thereby firmly clamping the beater head 3 on the bowl 4. The ability of the movable blocks III to be clamped at different locations upon the serrated faces I74 permits the roller IE! to be positioned at various distances from the ends of legs I and I41. It is thus seen that bowls having different, but conventional, wall thicknesses may be accommodated by the clamping means described.

A rotatable hollow power shaft I'IS extends from chamber I5I through a bearing provided in the aperture connecting chamber I5I and I52 and then across-chamber I52 and into the male coupling I50.

A pair of power-transmitting bevel gears I00 are carried by the shaft I'IB on either side of the partition wall I53. Mating bevel gears I82 cooperate with gears I80 and have formed integral- 1y therewith spindle portions I84 which are adapted to revolve within the apertures or bores I55 and I56. Disposed on each of the spindle portions I84 is a spring washer I8? which is located between the shoulders of the gears I82 and steel washers I88 which rest on the floors of the chambers I5I and I52. The spring washers I81 serve to bias the bevel gears I82 into engagement with gears I thus eliminating to a considerable extent the back-lash which is experienced with gears of this type. An important function of the spring washers I81 is to provide a safety factor. If the user of the beater 3 should inadvertently catch his or her hand in the beater elements I (to be described) the stress placed on the beater elements I90 will effect a compression of the spring washers I87 to disengage the gears I82 from the power gears I80 thus stopping the feeding of motive force to the heaters and thereby preventing serious injury to the hand of the user. With his free hand the user may actuate the on-off switch to shut off the current and then disengage his fingers.

The defining walls of the apertures I55 and I56 containing the spindle portions I84 act as bearing surfaces for the spindles. Helical grooves I9I are provided on the exterior surface of the spin dle portions I84 and provide passage ways for lubricating fluid.

The spindle portions I84 are hollow, the openings being square in shape, and are adapted to receive the ends of the square shafts I92 carrying the beater elements I90. Grooves I 93 are formed near the upper ends of shafts I92 into which spring biased ball detents I94 carried by the spindles I84 are adapted to snap, thereby securing the shafts I92 to the spindles for rotation therewith.

It is contemplated that the mixer of the present invention will be utilized with pans or bowls of varying depth and the heaters are therefore so constructed that the beater elements I90 are adapted to occupy a number'of positions on the shafts I92 to accommodate bowls of different depths. To accomplish this the shafts I92 are provided with a square bore extending from its lower end in which is disposed a spring I95. Located in the bore and biased by spring !95 is a square shaft I91 adapted to move therein. The shaft I9! is secured at its lower end to the beater elements I90. The bottom of the shaft I91 will provide a bearing point upon which the beater may rotate. The upper ends of the beater elements I90 have formed therein square orifices into which fit the square shafts I92 whereby the beater elements may move upon the shafts. A land I99 provided on the end of each shaft I92 prevents the beater elements I90 from coming 75 free. Thus with the construction described when the mixer is used with a shallow bowl the bottom of the bowl will adjust the position of the square shaft l9! within shaft I92 and against the bias of spring M6 to cause the beater elements to move upwardly.

It is here pointed out that the mixer or heater head 3 described herein is so constructed that its center of gravity will be substantiall within the periphery of the bowl on which it is mounted so that there is little likelihood of the bowltipping and the mixing task may be performed without the user holding the mixer head.

The motive power for driving the beater ele ments ISO is supplied from the electric motor 8 remotely located therefrom through a flexible drive shaft 5, which is capable of transmission of torque and motion with very minor losses. The drive shaft is encased in a flexible sheath 285 which is in turn enclosed in an outer covering 20! which may be of any material, such as rubber, capable of deformation and which is resilient enough to permit the flexible shaft to be bent and twisted even as it transmits power from the remotely located power source. It is understood that the exact construction of the flexible drive shaft is not part of this invention.

At each end of the flexible shaft 5 there is provided a female coupling 2% which coupling is adapted to engage with the male coupling elements 60 and ISO provided on the remote power unit I and the mixer head 3. It is here pointed out that though the flexible shaft 5 is here shown connected to a beater head 3, the flexible shaft 5 is adapted through the female couplings 283 to be connected to a variety of household devices on which a male coupling is provided for operation thereof.

The female coupling 203 (as best shown in Figure 4) consists of a sleeve member 254, the end 205 of which is firmly fixed to the flexible sheath 200 as by swaging. An end of the flexible drive shaft 5 extends into the sleeve member 254 as shown. A lubricant seal 25'! is carried b the shaft 5 and has a steel or brass washer 258 associated therewith. Adjacent the lubricant seal 201 is a thrust collar 259 which is swaged to the drive shaft 5 and serves to keep the shaft from slipping out of its encasing covers; it is noted that there will be a thrust collar on either end of the shaft 5. The outer end of the flexible drive shaft 5 is formed into a square or key 2|O. As stated above rotatable hollow shaft 55 which carries the worm gear 54 driven by motor 8 has a square-shaped opening provided at its outer end 59. This opening is adapted to receive the keyed end 2i 0 of the flexible drive shaft 5. Thus when the motor 8 rotates shaft 55 through worm 34 and worm gear 54 it will effect a rotative movement of the flexible drive shaft 5.

In the outer periphery of sleeve member 254 of the female coupling 203 there is provided an annular groove 2H. On the base of the groove 2 a number of holes are formed into which holes the ball detents 2l3 are disposed, the holes are of smaller diameter than the balls 2E3 so that they cannot pass completely through. A snap ring 2M is also carried within the groove 2 and biases the ball detents 2l3 inwardly. Thus when the female coupling 253 is fitted over the male coupling 65 the ball detents 2ls will be As pointed out hereinbefore a female coupling 2113 is provided at either end of the flexible drive shaft 5. Both ends of the shaft are squared or keyed so either end can be used interchangeably. Having affixed one female coupling 203 to the male coupling to at the remote power source I the other female coupling is aliixed to the male coupling I65 at the mixer head With the female coupling affixed the squared end of the flexible drive shaft 5 will fit into the end of the hollow shalt H5 provided at the mixer head (i. The opening through shaft I75 is also squareshaped to closely receive the squared end of shaft 5.

With the electricmotor 8 running the hollow power shaft at the remote source 4 will provide a rotative movement to the flexible drive shaft-5, this movement will be transmitted by the shaft 5 to the shaft lit in the beater head 3.

Rotation of shaft H6 0 crates the bevel gears H30 carried thereby to drive the gears i552 and thereby rotate the beater shafts H32 and the beater elements Hi5 carried thereby.

$ince it is advantageous to be able to control 'ie operation of the beater elements i513 at the beater head 3 and not have to carry the rotating beater while wallnng back to the power unit I to shut the current off there, a remote switching device 2H is providedat the beater head which controls the operation of the remotely located eiectric motor ii. This switching device comprises a rod 2 l5 which extends substantially the length of the hollow rotatable shaft H5 and has one end abutting against the end of the nexible drive shaft 5 disposed within the shaft I76. finger portion 2 i t, as shown in Figure 7, is affixed to the other end olrod'iic and extends therefrom to project through the slot M3 in handlesection i355 to locate a part thereof exterioriy of handle-section 135, this projecting part is adapted to be grasped manually to move or slide the finger portion 2H) bacx and forth within its slot 543. Finger portion Zii'i being affixed, at its housed end, to the end of rod Zia will, when moved back and forth, as described, en'ect reciprocatory movement or the rod 2 is within shaft lit. The flexible drive shaft 5 is used as the mechanical means for actuating the on-oif switch 63, located at the remote power unit 1. The end of drive shaft 5 disposed within hollow shaft e5 abuts against the upper end of push rod 55 carried withinsnaft 55, and push rod teat its lower end engages the actuating rod for switch 63.

Assuming that the beaters Hi5 are operating and it is desired to stop them, the operator will move finger portion 2H5 to move rod 2H5 rectilinearly within shalt I15 to effect longitudinal movement of the flexible drive shaft 5 within its casing. The opposite end of the longitudinally moving drive shaft 5 will move the push rod E55 against actuating rod 64 to operate on-off switch 63 to cause its contacts to disengage and break the motor circuit thereby stopping the motor 8. The construction of switch 53 is desired to be such that actuating rod 64 will move outwardly after the contacts have been disengaged and manual pressure is taken off finger portion 2ft thereby moving all the elements back so that when finger portion 2H5 is next actuated it will result in movement of the contacts of switch 53 totengaged position to complete the motor circui While certain preferred embodiments of the means, a flexible transmission shaft, arranged for bodily movement, interconnecting said beater means and said motor whereby said motor effects operation of saidbeater means, a first switch located at and carried by said motor for effecting starting and stopping thereof, a second switch located at and carried by said motor for effecting starting and stopping thereof, switching means located at and carried by said beater means and an operative connection between said switching means and one of said switches at said motor, said operative connection comprising said flexible transmission shaft, said switching means being manually operable to bodily move said flexible shaft to actuate said one ofsaid switches at said motor.

2. A mixing device comprising beater means, a motor located separately and remotely therefrom, a force transmitting flexible shaft interoonnecting said beater means and said motor whereby said motor effects the operation of said beater means, a switch carried by and located at said motor for controlling the starting and stopping thereof, means providing an operative connection between said switch and said flexible shaft whereby said flexible shaft may operate said switch, switching means carried by said beater means and means providing an operative connection between said switching means and said flexible shaft whereby said switching means may actuate said flexible shaft for effecting movement thereof to operate said switch carried by said motor to start and stop said motor.

3. In a mixing device, a beater head compris ing beater means and a hollow power shaft operatively connected to said beater means for actuation thereof, a power unit located separately and remotely from said beater head and comprising a motor, a second hollow power shaft which is adapted to be actuated by said motor, a switch located at said motor for controlling the starting and stopping of the motor, switch actuating means disposed within said second power shaft, a power transmitting shaft the ends of which are adapted to be received within said hollow power shafts, with that end of the power transmitting shaft disposed within said second power shaft being adapted toengage said switch actuating means, and a manually operable means associated with said hollow power shaft at said beater head adapted to move the end of the power transmitting shaft disposed in the said latter power shaft to effect longitudinal movement of said power transmitting shaft and thereby move said switch actuating means within said second hollow power shaft to operate said switch.

4. In a mixing device, beater means, a motor located separately and remotely from said beater means, a flexible transmission shaft interconnecting said beater means and said motor whereby said motor effects operation of said beater means, means mounting said flexible transmitting shaft for bodily movement, a first switch carried by said motor for effecting starting and stopping thereof, a second switch carried by said motor for effecting starting and stopping thereof,.

means operatively connecting one of said switches to said flexible transmission shaft for operation thereby, switching means carried by said beater means, and means operatively connecting said switching means to said flexible transmission shaft whereby the switching means may effect movement of the shaft to cause the shaft to operate the motor switch to which it is operatively connected.

5. In a mixing device, a portable beater means, a motor located separately and remotely from said beater means, a flexible transmission shaft interconnecting said beater means and said motor whereby said motor effects operation of said beater means, means mounting said flexible transmitting shaft for movement in the direction of its length, a first switch carried by said motor for effecting starting and stopping thereof, a

second switch carried by said motor and within the casing thereof for effecting starting and stopping of the motor, means operatively connecting said second switch to said flexible transmission shaft for operation thereby, switching means carried by said beater means, and means operatively connecting said switching means to said flexible transmission shaft whereby the switching means may effect movement of the shaft to cause the shaft to operate said second motor switch to which it is operatively connected.

6. In a mixing device, a beater head comprising a beater element and a power shaft operatively connected to the beater element, a power unit located separately and remotely from said beater and comprising a motor, a second power shaft which is adapted to be actuated by said motor, a power transmitting flexible shaft operatively interconnecting said two power shafts for common rotative movement, means mounting said power transmitting flexible shaft for longitudinal movement, a switch carried by said motor for effecting starting and stopping thereof, means operatively connecting said flexible shaft to said switch whereby the shaft may operate the switch, a manually operable switching means carried by said beater head, and means operatively connecting said switching means with said flexible shaft whereby the switching means may effect movement of the flexible shaft to cause it to operate the motor switch.

HOWARD F. SCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

